Curtain



July 6, 1943.

' E. P. BIXER CURTAIN Filed Jan. 14, 1941 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Eammva F Ev/xsR Patented July 6, 1943 UNITED. STATES" PATENT OFFICE 2,323,444 CURTAIN Edmond P. Bixer, New York, N. Y. Application January 14, 1941, Serial No. 4,313

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to curtains or similar window coverings and more particularly to a novel and improved type of window curtain, hereinafter referred to as a multiple curtain.

Among the objects of the present invention,

lies the provision of a unitary window covering which is very decorative and is especially adapted for the treatment of a plurality of windows or other wall openings which are located adjacent each other in a group.

In a large number of homes today, the windows because of architectural considerations, or for the purpose of better decorative arrangement or more light, are arranged in groups. These groupings may take the arrangement of pairs, or any number of windows may be arranged in a successive series.

In accordance to present curtain manufacturing and distributing practices, the lady of the house must use a separate pair of curtains for each window. This is so because the curtains are manufactured and sold in even pairs. By means of the present novel construction, advantage is taken of the fact that the Windows in series share common vertical frame portions between each two windows. This is so regardless of the type of windows, such as sliding sash, casement, and so forth. Even where the windows in the series do not share common frame portions between them, the present curtain construction is highly suitable, if the windows are not spaced too far from each other.

By use of the present invention it becomes possible for the lady of the house to properly curtain a plurality of windows in a group, at a cost considerably less than if she were to use a separate pair of curtains for each window. Or, at the same expense, more expensive fabrics and other decorative elements may be used. Furthermore there is considerably less work involved in hanging the curtains or taking them down as the multiple curtain can be handled as a single unitary object.

An advantage inherent in the present structure lies in the fact that the valance, support member, and vertical draping portions are all integrated as a unit, and laundering and pressing operations are greatly simplified. Another saving results from the use of a single curtain rod with one pair of curtain rod supporting brackets, for a plurality of windows in a group. Although only a single rod is used, the appearance produced is that of two rods for each window, one for the curtain pair, and one for the valance.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and as pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing constituting a material part hereof, similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of afirst embodiment of the invention, as shown in place upona grouping of two wood sash windows.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 2-2 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view taken similarly to Figure 1, but reduced in size, and shows a second embodiment of the invention in place upon a grouping of four windows.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view, sche'-'- matic in'nature, showing the curtain of the first embodiment, as might be seen from the plane 4-4 on Figure 1.

Turning now to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the multiple curtain is generally indicated by numeral I0.

The curtain III includes a support member II having a rod carrying passage I2, a valance I3, and a plurality of vertical draping elements I4, I5, and I6.

The length of the support member I I is determined by the length of the rod I7, and may include the known heading I8. As seen in Figure 2, the valance I3 is integral with the support member II, but where desired, as is well known in the curtain art, the valance may be a separate piece of material, connectively associated, as by stitching, with the support member. The rod carrying passage I2, may be formed by means of the two parallel and horizontally disposed rows of stitching IS. The height and the configuration of the lower edge of the valance I3 may be fixed and varied to produce different decorative effects.

The support member is preferably formed by folding a piece of flexible curtain or drapery material upon itself as seen in Figure 2, and the upper edges 20 of the vertical draping elements are suitably attached, as by means of stitches 2| to the lower rear edge of the support member II as indicated at 22.

The general length and width of the vertical draping elements may be determined by the general styling of the multiple curtain, but for ordinary purposesit will be found that the width of the central draping element I5 should be greater than that of the end draping elements I4 and I6. Preferably, the width of element I5 should be twice that of an end element I4 or [6. This will create the effect of separate pairs of curtains, with an imaginary line of division between the arrows 25 and 26 on Figure 1. As is customary in present day curtain styles, it is desirable that the vertical frame portions 30, 3|, and 32, of the windows 33 and 34 be covered by the vertical draping elements. Since the windows 33 and 34 form no part of the invention, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. It being understood however, that where the vertical frame portion 3| is in two parts (vertically divided) or is unusually wide, the central vertical draping panel or element is correspondingly enlarged.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing, the use of the invention in combination with a grouping of four windows is i1- lustrated, as well as a slightly different style of curtain treatment.

; Since the construction of the second embodiment is in most respects similar to that of the first embodiment, for the purpose of omitting needless repetition, corresponding parts are given singly primed reference characters. Two additional windows I33 and I34, and two additional vertical draping elements H and 215 are seen. The'tie-backs E50 are of the wsual construction and increase the draped effect of the elements [4, l5, H5, H5 and 2l5.

Obviously any number of windows may be treated by merely increasing the length of the multiple curtains I 9 or I U, and adding additional vertical draping elements. It will be seen that the number of vertical draping elements is al- Ways one more than the number of windows. While shown in use with windows disposed in a single vertical plane, obviously the invention is susceptible of use where the windows are angularly disposed with relation to each other, as for example in bays in which the windows are arranged as the sides of a partial polygon, or at right angles in the case of corner windows now so popular.

The construction shown is not limited as to materials, and depending upon the style of decoration any suitable curtaining or drapery fabric may be used for any of the component parts of the multiple curtain herein disclosed.

It may thus be seen that I have disclosed a novel multiple curtain construction which when used in conjunction with grouped series of windows produces the effect of separate curtain pairs on each window, separately hung, yet only a single rod is required for the group, By its simplicity my construction saves time both in manufacture and use of the curtain, as well as in maintenance.

I claim:

1. For use with a plurality of windows located adjacent each other, and having a single curtain rod disposed adjacent the upper frame of said windows, a multiple curtain comprising: a support member including a rod carrying passage;

said support member being of a length substantially equal to said rod and to the combined width of the plurality of windows; a valance associated with the support member and adapted to lie parallel to the said rod; and a plurality of vertical draping members connectively associated withv the support member at the upper edges of said draping, and spaced from each other.

2. For use with a group of windows located adjacent each other in a horizontal series, having a single curtain rod, equal in length to the total width of the group of windows, and disposed adjacent the upper frame of said group of windows; a multiple curtain comprising: a support member including a rod carrying passage, said support member being of substantially the same length as the rod; a valance associated with the support member and adapted to lie parallel to said rod: and a plurality of draping members attached to the support member at the upper edges of the draping members; said draping members eing spaced. from each other, and totalling in number one more than the number of windows in the group.

3. For use with a group of at least two windows, adjacent each other horizontally, a multiple curtain comprising a support member including a rod carrying passage; said support member being of a length substantially equal to the combined width of said windows; a valance connected to the support member and adapted to be horizontally disposed when the curtain is installed; at least three draping elements integral with the support member, the draping elements being spaced from each other.

EDMOND P. BIXER. 

